Tag: Matisse Thybulle

James Harden wants to get Matisse Thybulle, PJ Tucker involved on offense

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden wants to get Matisse Thybulle and PJ Tucker involved more on the offensive end.

PHILADELPHIA — For the Philadelphia 76ers to become the team they expect to be, they need everybody to step up and help Joel Embiid and James Harden. They need the supporting cast to play their roles on both ends of the floor.

In Tuesday’s 123-103 win over the Sacramento Kings, the Sixers received 15 points from Matisse Thybulle, who knocked down three 3s, and six points from PJ Tucker, who hit two 3s. If Philadelphia can get this type of production from their two top defenders, it would be a big help.

That is where Harden comes in.

“Those guys work their butts off on the defensive end,” said Harden. “They’re known as defenders. My job is to get them easy shots. Whether it’s PJ around the rim, or both, around the rim, and Matisse and PJ shots on the perimeter as well. I think my job, as much as they help me defensively, my job is to help them offensively, and put them in positions to where they got easy ones around the rim, or they got catch and shoot opportunities and they listen. I think that’s what this team is about.”

When it comes to Tucker, it’s just making sure he gets his opportunities in the corner. That is where he makes his living on the offensive end on the floor.

For Thybulle, as he continues to evolve as a shooter, this is still a work in progress with him as a cutter. He has to be able to move off the ball and find the open spots in the defense to be effective, and he did so on Tuesday. Harden is the one who is pointing him in the right direction and ensuring he gets easy looks.

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“Just that constant possession by possession communication,” The Beard added. “If I see something, I’m gonna tell him to do it, he does it, and he gets rewarded off of it. That right there’s like, we’re all human at the end of the day, so that right there for a guy who doesn’t get easy baskets offensively and he gets four or five of them, that boosts someone’s confidence to where defensively, he’s even better. As much as we can get that from each individual guy, the much better our team is gonna be.”

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Matisse Thybulle reacts to his offensive success in win over Kings

Philadelphia 76ers wing Matisse Thybulle discusses his offensive success in an easy win over the Sacramento Kings.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers came away with a big 123-103 win over the Sacramento Kings at home on Tuesday, improving to 3-0 on the homestand. The Sixers received big offensive nights up and down the roster, but one player stood out the most.

Matisse Thybulle, who drew the start for the injured De’Anthony Melton, had 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting, and he knocked down three 3s. The 15 points were a season high, and he didn’t hesitate on any of the looks he received within the offense.

“I think it helps when your teammates believe in you to make plays and make shots,” said Thybulle. “When it feels like they’re looking for you and setting you up, it makes making the shot that much easier. You catch it in flow, you catch with confidence, and the rest kind of takes care of itself.”

This could’ve been a very tough night for Thybulle. He picked up two fouls within the first minute. It really could’ve thrown him off and led to a bad night. Instead, he didn’t let it bother him, and he helped the Sixers get a rather easy win.

“I think it helped me get more locked in for whatever reason,” said Thybulle. “I had two stupid fouls early and it was a bit of a wake-up call to just lock in a little bit more and then when everyone else is playing well, you don’t ever want to be the guy to bring the group down. So I think that also helped collectively.”

Thybulle and the Sixers now prepare for a matchup with Steph Curry and the defending champion Golden State Warriors on Friday to continue the homestand.

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Tobias Harris, Sixers discuss defensive success vs. Kings’ De’Aaron Fox

Tobias Harris and the Philadelphia 76ers discuss how they slowed down Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers picked up a rather easy 123-103 win over the Sacramento Kings at home on Tuesday. They led by as many as 28. While the offense will receive a lot of praise, and deservedly so, they did a helluva job defending the Kings and their lead guard, De’Aaron Fox.

Fox entered averaging 22.8 points on 50.7% shooting and 36.6% shooting from deep. On Tuesday, the Sixers held him to 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting. He was 1-for-7 from deep.

With De’Anthony Melton sidelined with a back issue, the Sixers turned to Tobias Harris to slow the speedy Fox.

“Just present my length and size while guarding him,” said Harris. “Make some of his looks a little different. Obviously, he’s one of the fastest if not the fastest player in the NBA so just stay in front and be able to present my length. When he’s going to the lane to shoot, outside of that, really it was our whole group getting back on defense. We know they’re a team that gets out in transition and run so we had to get back.”

Coach Doc Rivers knew they had to do something against Fox. Melton offers strength and speed. Without him, he decided to go to Harris, and he answered the call in a big way.

“We just thought size,” said Rivers. “We figured put size on him. That forces him to the basket at least. He loves that little in between, he’s been great on the elbows this year, we felt like Tobias’ size would take him off of that. I thought he did a good job.”

Matisse Thybulle, who has defended Fox in the past and understands how tough that matchup is, was impressed with how Harris slowed him.

“He continues to surprise me,” said Thybulle. “You know Tobias cares about defense when he starts sitting down, putting his hands out, that’s something he used to never do. Now, it’s like I swear every single game, I see him do it a handful of times where they’re bringing the ball down, and he’s really getting into his stance. It means something to him and he’s a talented enough player, athletically and mentally, to be able to adjust and like make these transitions.”

Harris and the Sixers will have another tough matchup invading the Wells Fargo Center on Friday when they host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

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Player grades: Joel Embiid, Sixers destroy Kings for third straight win

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers beat up on the Sacramento Kings to win their third straight game.

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers were looking to win their third straight on this 7-game homestand and they welcomed the upstart Sacramento Kings into the Wells Fargo Center on Tuesday. The Kings had been playing some good basketball on the season so this was going to be a challenge for Philadelphia.

The Sixers rose to the occasion in the first half as they went on a 23-2 run in the second quarter to essentially put the game out of reach. Philadelphia scored 80 points in the first half on their way to a 123-103 win over the Kings. Joel Embiid had himself another big night as he scored 31 points and seven rebounds to lead the way for the Sixers.

James Harden had 21 points, 15 assists, and seven rebounds, Tobias Harris had 21, nine assists, and seven rebounds, and Matisse Thybulle had 15 points. Shake Milton had 14 points and Georges Niang added 12 and six rebounds off the bench.

Here are the player grades following a blowout win over the Kings:

Sixers’ Matisse Thybulle opens up on learning from veteran PJ Tucker

Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle opens up on how he’s been learning from veteran PJ Tucker.

CAMDEN, N.J.–The Philadelphia 76ers are continuing to come together as a team as they battle through a slew of injuries, but the one constant out on the floor has been veteran PJ Tucker. Philadelphia’s big free agency addition hasn’t done much in terms of stats, but he continues to do the little things.

Tucker is averaging just 3.4 points and 4.3 rebounds on the season, but his defense has been stout and he has done an ear that the others can talk into and learn from. Matisse Thybulle, who is an elite defender in his own right, is learning from Tucker on an everyday basis.

“He always says that he wishes we played more minutes together because he said there’s a lot that he sees and he’s able to point out to me,” said Thybulle. “Every opportunity he gets it feels like he’s saying something or like just like being a voice on the court for me.”

Tucker is one of the best in the league in being able to help out on a driver, but also be able to get back to his man and get a stop. He did a terrific job in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks earlier in the season against Giannis Antetokounmpo while also helping keep Milwaukee out of the paint. He continues to be a guy the other Sixers can learn from and become better at their craft.

“His ability to play help side defense and still guard his man is probably some of the best in the league, like the best I’ve ever played with,” Thybulle added. “So learning from his example in that sense.”

It’s obvious that Tucker is continuing to make an impact on this team regardless of not stuffing a box score or anything like that. That is why Philadelphia brought him in here. He’s here to be that guy who does the little things and help the team win games. His impact figures to be felt more in the playoffs.

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Player grades: Joel Embiid has another big night, Sixers beat Hornets

Joel Embiid has another big night to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the Charlotte Hornets at home.

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers are still in the process of getting themselves right as they continue to make strides toward contention in the Eastern Conference. This current homestand they’re on offers them that opportunity as they took on the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.

After an overtime affair to begin the homestand, they took on a very young and athletic Hornets team, and after a struggle to start the game, they were able to come away with a 131-113 win to start 2-0 on the homestand. Joel Embiid had himself another incredible night as he finished with 53 points on 20-for-32 shooting and 12 rebounds to lead the way for Philadelphia.

James Harden had 19 points, 16 assists, and eight rebounds, De’Anthony Melton had 12 points, and Tobias Harris added 17. Shake Milton added 11 and Montrezl Harrell had nine points and four assists off the bench.

Here are the player grades following the win:

Matisse Thybulle discusses physical health, offensive success off the ball

Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle discusses his physical health as well as his offensive success moving without the ball.

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers have dealt with a spate of injuries for the majority of November and December. After a win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, the Sixers are 13-12 despite the injury issues.

While the injury focus has been on James Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, their key reserves have dealt with issues as well.

Matisse Thybulle has been dealing with an ankle issue for the better part of the season. After three days off, he played 13:25 and scored a season-high nine points off the bench.

“I felt good,” said Thybulle. “The body felt good. I think tonight it was more of a cardio thing just having to play that many straight minutes. Three days off, it felt good to get back out there and get a sweat.”

He was moving well off the ball which led to his offense. That is his most significant aspect with him. If he can continue to read and react to his teammates and find the open spots within the defense, he can be a very effective offensive player as he was on Friday.

“Guys found me,” Thybulle added. “I was able to get to the open spot and just finish easy buckets.”

Of course, having James Harden run the offensive end helps Thybulle. He is able to read what The Beard is doing and find those open spots for easy looks.

“I think last year, I got a really good feel of moving without the ball, and then this year’s just been doing it with a better awareness of who I’m doing it around,” he finished. “James is such a good passer that now that I have a better feel for him, it creates more opportunities for me.”

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Matisse Thybulle discusses late foul on Austin Reaves in win over Lakers

Philadelphia 76ers defender Matisse Thybulle discusses his late foul on Austin Reaves in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers held a 16-point lead with 4:05 to go over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at home. The Sixers looked like they were just going to cruise to an easy win and get back on track.

Instead, they turned the ball over, they weren’t able to get any stops, and they made a slew of mistakes as the Lakers rallied to force overtime before Philadelphia was able to walk away with a 133-122 win to end a 3-game losing skid.

A big play was with Philadelphia leading it 120-117 with 10.5 seconds left, the Lakers ran a play for Austin Reaves after a big night, and Matisse Thybulle fouled him while shooting a triple. Reaves stepped to the line with a chance to tie before he only made two of the three.

“I hope we don’t lose,” Thybulle said of what was going through his mind.

With that being said, the plan was to foul Reaves. Being up three, they didn’t want the Lakers to get an easy look at a triple. It just didn’t turn out the way they wanted it to.

“Our goal was to foul,” Thybulle explained. “So I was chasing him off the screen to get back in front of him and he just stopped and shot the ball. These things happen.”

Reaves did have 25 points off the bench for the Lakers and he shot 4-for-6 from deep. Considering Philadelphia’s focus was on LeBron James and Anthony Davis, it seems that Reaves slipped through the cracks in terms of defensive focus.

“I think we all knew what he was capable of,” Thybulle finished. “I think it was more so disappointing that we let it happen.”

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Multiple Sixers react to De’Anthony Melton’s career night to beat Lakers

The Philadelphia 76ers praise De’Anthony Melton for having a career night in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers needed somebody to step up on Friday as they played host to the Los Angeles Lakers. While Joel Embiid and James Harden had big nights of their own, the Sixers needed somebody to step up and provide just a bit more to knock off the star-studded Lakers.

Philadelphia was able to get that extra production from De’Anthony Melton as he had a helluva night going for a career-high 33 points, a career-high seven steals, and he drilled a career-high eight triples. All of that helped the Sixers come away with a 133-122 overtime win over the Lakers that featured a furious fourth quarter comeback from LA to force the extra session.

Afterward, the Sixers sang the praises of Melton for what he was able to do on Friday.

Player grades: Joel Embiid dominates, leads Sixers past Lakers at home

Joel Embiid throws the Philadelphia 76ers on his back to lead the way in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Friday to kick off a 7-game homestand and they needed a win to move back in the right direction following a miserable 0-3 road trip. The Los Angeles Lakers and their star-studded lineup offered a tough challenge at home.

For Philadelphia’s sake, they received a heavy dose of Joel Embiid early and often in order to walk away with a 133-122 win in overtime, in a game that should not have gone to an extra session, and put a stop to their 3-game losing skid. Embiid had 38 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists in order to lead the Sixers to this much-needed win to begin this long homestand. Philadelphia blew an 18-point lead they held in the fourth quarter where they committed 10 turnovers.

De’Anthony Melton was huge with a career-high 33 points and a career-high seven steals, Tobias Harris had 14 and eight rebounds, James Harden had 28 and 12 assists, and Matisse Thybulle added nine off the bench.

Here are the player grades following the win: